A hidden delight in France, allotments and a cheap drip irrigation hack

This week, an outstanding garden, a French allotment site, and low cost methods of keeping your tomatoes watered this summer

Last week I enjoyed a quick trip to Bayeux in Normandy and as well as having a chance to look at the Bayeux tapestry (which lived up to expectations) and check out a litter of puppies, I visited an outstanding garden and some allotments.

Les Jardin de Castillon

Lying just a few miles south of Bayeux is the delightful Les Jardin de Castillon. As we drove down the pretty unremarkable entrance into the parking area, there were few clues to the fabulous garden that lay beyond.

Created in 1985 by Colette and Hubert Sainte Beuve, the garden lies on a north facing slope with mostly acidic clay soils. We bumped into Hubert, who wondered if we were lost as we were looking at a part of the garden off the usual visitor route. Thankfully, he spoke fluent English and he explained that they had been inspired by Sissinghurst and other English gardens, so they created a garden of eight rooms, each with its own character, such as the water garden, scented garden and a garden with classic English herbaceo…